"Ronnie Bales approaches banjo construction from the point of view of the wood.  As a bridge maker I understand just how important wood selection is to both the sound and appearance of banjos.  I’m fascinated by his inspired, patent pending  rim design, by his resonators made the right way, and by  the precision fit and incredible finish work of Bales banjos Ronnie respects banjos  made 75 years ago, but I believe all his banjos need to equal or exceed those treasures is time and playing.   Bales banjos have a classic new look with an old familiar feel and that great old tone.  No hype needed.  Bales banjos speak for themselves and sell themselves.  When I met Ronnie he showed me one, I played one, and I ordered one…I wasn’t even in the market for a new banjo!"

  David Wadsworth

"I think Ronnie Bales banjo's with the "Turbo" rim are the best new banjo's I have played. They sound like 50 year old vintage instruments. All are very consistent in tone and have fabulous necks and great craftsmanship. I like the fact that all the wooden parts (shells, resonators and necks) are personally made and assembled by Ronnie. He is a superb craftsman with a great sense of pride in his work. He is always willing to go the extra mile for the customer. Ronnie is also a great repairman and does all the repairs on my personal banjo's. I am very honored to have him as a friend."

Jim Millsapps

"It was a great pleasure working with Ronnie on my 1933 TB4. He made me the best neck I could ask for. Extremely comfortable, exquisite precision in the details and a heel fit that not even air molecules can get through! Ronnie's a master craftsman but also a great listener; he's really only satisfied when the customer is also happy. Several months later when I decided to cut the prewar rim for a flathead tone ring, I was honored to send the banjo back to him for more of his excellent work. He treated my instrument with the care and respect of one of his very own possessions. I now have a world class banjo that many are envious of. But what I'm also proud of is the experience of working with Mr. Ronnie Bales. Thank you again, Ronnie!"

   Dan Varadi, Bellevue, WA

"Ronnie Bales is one of the finest Luthiers in the country. I buy and sell a lot of Instruments and Ronnie does all of the repair on the banjos that I sell. He takes great care making sure the repair is as good as
new. He has made a few very nice Gibson conversion necks for me as well and they are of the highest quality. The Bales line of banjos are also some of the finest new banjos being built. Every piece is handmade in his shop except the hardware. You'll be hard to find a banjo being built like that anywhere. "

  Larry Mathis
  Knoxville, Tn.

"A few words about Bales Banjo's. I have known Ronnie Bales for about 3 yrs and have witnessed first hand his fine repair work and banjo building. Ronnie has done countless repair's for me and made two very well crafted Gibson conversion necks. His background in cabinet building and knowledge of wood gives him the edge on most builders today. Ronnie is very "old school" when it comes to building his own Bales line of banjos. Every wooden part...rim , resonator & neck is made in his shop. No pre made parts from some wholesale company. I also believe his new "Turbo" rim design is the best thing to happen to the banjo since the flat head tone ring ! "

Proud owner of Bales "Tonemaster" #6

  Gary G. Gregory
  Maryville, Tn.

"Ronnie Bales builds the best banjo on the market. The craftsmanship is impeccable and the sound is incredible. His banjos have a deep rich open tone from one end of the neck to the other, but with plenty of powerhouse highs that crack. If you're looking for a banjo with killer sound and playability, then Bales is the banjo for you. On a personal note, Ronnie is also one of the nicest people you could ever meet."

  Jody King
  Cana, VA

"When I was about nine years old I started taking banjo lessons from Jason Bales.  Jason told me about how his dad, Ronnie, made banjos.  I played a Deering banjo, then a Gibson at that time, and had never heard of a Bales banjo.  One day Jason and Ronnie walked into the Music Outlet, where I took banjo lessons, with a banjo case and a Bales banjo.  Jason and Ronnie got it out and everybody started playing it, looking at it, and just couldn't believe the sound!  When it was my turn to play it, I picked it up and played it for a minute and by that time I knew I wanted one!  I couldn't believe the sound either!  
 
We called and talked to Ronnie about it, and it wasn't long before he was making my Bales banjo.  He let me pick out everything from the wood, to the fingerboard inlays.  Ronnie let me come over each week to watch and learn exactly how he made a banjo.  He even let me help in the process of making mine - from beginning to end.  It was a lot of fun for me, and I'll never forget that experience.  And I'll always have that banjo.  It's real special to me. 
 
 Ronnie works very hard to make his banjos what they are.  I think he takes great pride in the banjos he makes, and it shows.  I think Bales banjos are the best.  If you ever see me out playing - I'll be playing a Bales.  I might even have to get another one! "

    Zane Petty

I play nearly 800 shows a year and my Bales Banjo makes me excited to play every
one. The Pre-war tone, playability, and craftsmanship is the best! Every time my
"Bales" rings, "I" feel like I have wings!

    Gary "Biscuit" Davis
    3  time National Banjo Champion

  Ronnie Bales makes a banjo sound vintage right out of the shop. His banjos are consistent in tone, timbre and openness of the instrument. It doesn't matter if its raining, hot, or cold  Bale's banjos ring the same. Ronnie's patented Turbo rim design attributes to this. I play everything from bluegrass, fiddle tunes, breakdowns, jigs, and jazz. It doesn't matter what genre you are playing  Bales Banjos handles them all ! In my humble opinion Ronnie Bales has debunked the prewar myth because he builds prewar sounding instruments everyday in his shop. Ronnie lives just a little over a mile from me. I am at his shop two times and sometimes more a week. To my knowledge he has NEVER built a dud ! Exquisite quality craftsmanship in Ronnie's shop is the standard it's never compromised. I am proud to play Ronnie Bale's banjo. I am even more proud to know him as a friend. Nothing rings like a BALES !!!

    National Banjo Champion
    Sonny Smith